8.20.2023
Afro Nation Detroit: Saturday Recap
The World’s Biggest Afrobeats Festival Hits Detroit For The First Time, Bringing Headliner Burna Boy and All-Stars Like Ari Lennox, Latto, Hometown Hero Dej Loaf, and Many More
(Credit: Afro Nation / @JMULKA)
THE RECAP:
Afro Nation is the world’s premiere celebration of Global Black music and culture, hosting stars from across the genre spectrum for one-of-a-kind events. This weekend, Afro Nation made its debut in Detroit, one of the most historically significant music cities in the world. Hosted at Brewster-Douglass, the site of a former housing project that birthed icons Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson, tens of thousands of fans turned out to vibe to contemporary sounds, though the exuberant soulfulness on display couldn’t help but evoke the area’s rich history.
Burna Boy headlined in rare form, playing new songs like “Sitting On Top Of The World” and leading sing-alongs of hits like “Ye” and “Last Last.” He capped off a lineup filled with international A-listers, showcasing the breadth of styles animating Black music today. Looking as glamorous as ever, R&B star Ari Lennox wowed the audience with her heart-on-sleeve lyrics and flawless vocals. Latto and Detroit’s own Dej Loaf represented for American hip-hop, the former bringing her brash southern attitude, while the Detroit native Dej Loaf’s candy-coated melodies earned a rapturous reception from the hometown crowd.
As always at Afro Nation, African and global genres got their turn in the spotlight as well. Fans streamed into the grounds carrying flags representing their heritages, and artists of nearly as many nationalities took the stage. Crossover dancehall star Skillibeng tore up the main stage with his streetwise blend of the Jamaican sound. South African sound architect DJ Maphorisa, a major name in his country’s Amapiano scene, headlined the Piano People stage, providing a proper climax to the stage’s all-day dance party. France’s Franglish, Nigeria’s Victony, Tanzania’s Diamond Platinumz, and many others made their presence felt as they proudly represented their musical traditions.
Stay tuned for much more tomorrow, as Afro Nation Detroit continues with Davido, P-Square, Coi Leray, and many more.
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View photos of Afro Nation Detroit 2023 (please credit all photos to Afro Nation / @photographer):
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w10op73ef98jyys/AADt16ePh1kQhkvEvFQXHRyIa?dl=0
For all other inquiries, please contact Michelle, Kevin, Destiny, or T’Keyah
BURNA BOY:
The African Giant was truly “Sitting On Top Of The World” during his show-stopping set
(Credit: Afro Nation / @JMULKA)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @Shaunllewellyn_)
ARI LENNOX:
The glamorous DC native shows off her sterling vocals for adoring fans
(Credit: Afro Nation / @JMULKA)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @JMULKA)
LATTO:
BIG Latto brings her “Big Energy” from the A to the D
(Credit: Afro Nation / @JMULKA)
(Credit: Afro Nation /@Shaun-Llewellyn_)
DEJ LOAF:
Detroit’s own Dej Loaf supplies a steady stream of bubbly melodies and street-savvy rhymes (Credit: Afro Nation / @Shaunllewellyn_)
SKILLIBENG:
The dancehall crossover star impresses with his sinuous flows and sensual wordplay
(Credit: Afro Nation / @a_ciggs)
DJ MAPHORISA:
One-half of the legendary Scorpion Kings, Maphorisa spins gold at the Piano People stage
(Credit: Afro Nation / @_FLIXZ)
FLAVOUR:
The smooth-voiced singer has been a star in his native Nigeria since the mid-2000s
(Credit: Afro Nation / @Shaunllewellyn_)
DIAMOND PLATNUMZ:
The Tanzanian multihyphenate brings the Bongo Flava to the main stage
(Credit: Afro Nation / @JMULKA)
VICTONY:
The hitmaker behind “Soweto” shows out on the Piano People stage
(Credit: Afro Nation / @_FLIXZ)
NISSI:
The Nigerian songstress started the day off right
(Credit: Afro Nation / @_FLIXZ)
2WOBUNNIES:
The mysterious South African DJ duo take over the stage in signature fashion
(Credit: Afro Nation / @JONBRYANT_)
SCENES FROM THE FESTIVAL:
(Credit: Afro Nation / @Shaunllewellyn)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @_FLIXZ)
(Credit: Afro Nation /@JMULKA)
(Credit: Afro Nation /@JMULKA)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @_FLIXZ)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @JMULKA)
CRITICAL PRAISE:
“Afro Nation events began in Portugal in 2019 and are continuing to grow and expand across the globe as a way to showcase and celebrate Afro-fusion, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, soca and more Black-led music.” – Billboard
“Afro Nation is more than just a two-day music festival. It’s even beyond a gathering of Africans, American or otherwise, descending on a city to have a good time with good vibes. It’s a mecca of unapologetic Blackness that puts the spotlight on not just music, but unity, and community.” – Detroit Metro Times
“With previous events in Ghana and Puerto Rico, Afro Nation has the accolade of being the world’s biggest festival centered on Afrobeats music.” – Billboard
“‘It really touches your soul.’ Afro Nation Miami puts spotlight on West African culture.” – Miami Herald
“Afro Nation Miami had an unmistakable African essence, fusing afrobeats, amapiano, and reggae.” – Variety
“The festival promises to deliver an impressive array of today’s hottest artists from Africa and the diaspora.” – Yahoo!
“For the festival goers, this year’s event fulfilled the 2-year long draught of social distancing and zero socializing. Social media was a buzz with Instagram reels featuring artist performances, festival fashion, and social engagements by the beach on the beautiful Praia da Rocha beach, just south of Portimão….Now with a second edition taking place in Ghana, this coming December, Afro Nation is yet to see more success.” – MEFeater
THE BACKGROUND:
Launched in 2019 with critical acclaim, Afro Nation is the biggest Afrobeats celebration in the world and a fast growing global cultural influence. The festival was founded by Nigerian creative industry entrepreneurs Obi Asika, and Smade, in association with BBC 1 Xtra. The events unite the diaspora and deliver something culturally important to a hugely underserved audience. In 2022, 40,000 music lovers attended Afro Nation Portugal to see the biggest names in Afrobeats, Amapiano, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Dancehall at one of the most beautiful beach locations on the planet – past artists include Burna Boy, Davido, Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, Scorpion Kings, Major League DJz and many more. After finishing 2022 with Afro Nation Ghana (Dec. 29-30), Afro Nation is expanding even further in 2023. Next up: Afro Nation Detroit, hitting the Motor City on August 19th-20th.
Afro Nation Detroit follows up the successful Afro Nation Miami, which debuted in May 2023. Headlined by Afrobeats giants Burna Boy and WizKid, and featuring a powerful lineup of artists from Africa, the Caribbean, and across the globe, the festival earned coverage in The New Yorker, Variety, Billboard, and more.
Afro Nation festivals are dedicated to providing a global platform for music from Africa and its diaspora. In addition, Afro Nation teams with BBC Radio 1xtra and the Official Charts Company to host a weekly UK Afrobeats Chart Show, and in 2022, Afro Nation partnered with Billboard to present the first-ever U.S. Afrobeats Chart.
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